How Much Debt do Benedictine U Students Graduate With?

How much debt will I have to take on to pay for Benedictine University, and how easily will I pay it off? Keep scrolling down the page for answers.

Freshmen At Benedictine University Take Out an Average of $6,333 in Loans in Their First Year

At Benedictine University, 69.0% of
incoming students take out a loan to help defray freshman year costs, averaging
$6,333 a piece.
This amount includes both private and federally-funded student loans.

The average federal loan is
$5,766, which is
104.8%
of the first-year borrowing cap of $5,500* for the typical first-year dependent student.

*Independent students and those with parents who do not qualify for PLUS loans have higher borrowing caps.

Loans, while often included in aid numbers, are just that - a loan that must be paid back.
Your car loan doesn't make your car cost less, so why would a college loan make college cost less?
It doesn't.

The Average Loan Amount for All Undergrads at Benedictine University is $7,429 Per Year.

60.0% of all undergraduate students
(including freshmen) at
Benedictine University utilize federal student loans to help pay for their college education,
averaging $7,429 per year.
This amount is
28.8% higher than the
$5,766 amount borrowed by freshmen.
The fact that returning students borrow more than freshmen could indicate that the school front-loads financial aid packages,
offering more aid to new students while expecting returning students to take on larger loans to continue their education.

Borrowing the average amount will result in loans of
$14,858 after two years and
$29,716 after four.

These numbers are based on borrowing the same amount each year and do not include any loans where the parent is the borrower,
even though Parent PLUS loans are frequently included in financial aid packages.

Were you surprised by how much you are projected to owe by the time you graduate? Remember this is an average: some students will borrow more than this.

Unlike the data shown for freshmen, average undergraduate student loan amounts do not include private loans.
In addition to unreported parent loans, this can increase the average amount borrowed significantly.

The Default Rate on Student Loans is Decreasing

Loan default rates can indicate how well Benedictine University is helping students afford to attend college
without undue reliance on loans, particularly unsubsidized loans. It can also indicate future earnings and career potential.
Pay close attention to this statistic. You don't want to take out loans you can't pay back.

A total of
1,854 Benedictine University
students entered loan repayment in 2012.
After three years, 4.4% of these students
(83 out of
1,854) defaulted on their loans.
The lower the default rate, the better!

The chart below compares this college to the average 3-year default rate calculated across all of the 4-year schools we have data for.

What does the default rate mean?

A student is considered to be in default on a student loan if they have not made a payment in more than 270 days.
The official student loan default rate for a school is calculated by measuring how many students are in default three
years after graduation. Note that the default rate only takes into account federal loans, not private.

When compared to the average three-year default rate of 7.4%,
the default rate at Benedictine University
is very good. This could be an indication that the college is working to meet the financial needs of students in
such a way that reliance on student loans, particularly unsubsidized loans, is minimized for the majority of
students.

Did You Know?

Declaring bankruptcy does not remove student loan debt owed to the Federal government.
They can garnish part of your income if you do not pay back your loans.

Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loans

What's the difference? Unsubsidized student loans accrue interest each month, even while you are in college.
Unless you pay that interest each month, what you owe after graduation might surprise you.

Questions About Student Loan Debt

What is the average amount of student loan debt all students graduate with?

The class of 2016 graduated with an average of $37,172 in debt per student! The average student loan payment after graduation for all students is $351.

How and where do I get a student loan?

Students can either take out private or public loans. To receive a public, federal loan, you must fill out and submit the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal loans tend to have better interest rates and repayment options, so it is
recommended that most students start there.

What is the best student loan? What is a good loan interest rate?

The best student loan is a subsidized federal loan. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest until after you graduate with your degree.
After that, an unsubsidized federal loan is probably best. For up-to-date interest rates on federal loans,
see this resource.

How can I reduce the amount of student loan debt I need to take on?

The most important step in reducing student loan debt is to make a wise college decision. Students who graduate with the most debt tend to be those
who change majors or transfer schools, which increases both the time and cost of completing a degree. Other ways of reducing debt include applying
for scholarships, as well as federal aid.

Can I get my student loan debt forgiven?

Debt forgiveness is currently available for some public workers such as teachers in high-risk locations. Students can also apply to have their loans
discharged if their school closes. Learn more about what options you have here.

What are the consequences of defaulting on a loan?

Defaulting on your student loan will do serious damage to your credit. The federal government also may decide to garnish your paycheck
or even social security payments. Avoid loan default at all costs.